Joe Dunne has played down talk of a rift with star player Anthony Wordsworth.

The talented playmaker was surprisingly left out of the U’s side for their Boxing Day defeat against Brentford.

Wordsworth did not train prior to the Bees clash but told his Twitter followers after the game that he was available for selection.

He wrote: “To everyone asking I am Fit and WANTED to play today.”

The midfielder was not even among the U’s substitutes for their game against the Bees but U's boss Dunne played down rumours of a disagreement with Wordsworth.

Dunne said: “Woody told me that he wanted to play, so he’s not saying anything on Twitter that I didn’t know about.

“It was my call not to play him and it was my decision based on what I saw earlier in the week."

See Friday's Gazette for more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news, including a full preview of their game against Swindon Town tomorrow and an interview with new U's signing Jack Compton.

Wood'y needs to learn he is not gods gift to football just yet. We all know what he is capable of doing on his day, but the majority of fans & management know fully well that he has more to offer than what he has been showing recently. I would not be surprised if some little skummy agent has not got into his head and twisting it in another direction so to make sure he forces the club to securing a move on the cheap. .

Wood'y needs to learn he is not gods gift to football just yet. We all know what he is capable of doing on his day, but the majority of fans & management know fully well that he has more to offer than what he has been showing recently. I would not be surprised if some little skummy agent has not got into his head and twisting it in another direction so to make sure he forces the club to securing a move on the cheap. .crazy comments

Agree with Crazy. I believe this to be the case. Woody is reportedly wanted by a number of championship clubs, Charlton, Derby and Ipswich to name a few. However, he needs to be playing effectively to show off his undoubted talents. I also think that is he is courting other clubs, maybe his mind is not set on playing well for the U's so therefore Joe did the right thing leaving him out. I just hope the postponement doesn't cost us in terms of position in the league. Whatever, we need to start winning again and quick! I can't see that happening at Crawley, but stranger things have been known.Or is it the club's strategy now to accept relegation in the vain hope we may bounce back next season? I know it is a negative thing to suggest, but I see no inspiration behind the scenes in improving things on the pitch and pretty much get the impression that one hell of a clearout of 'deadwood' is needed in order to move our lacklustre, uninspiring team forward. Up the U's!

Agree with Crazy. I believe this to be the case. Woody is reportedly wanted by a number of championship clubs, Charlton, Derby and Ipswich to name a few. However, he needs to be playing effectively to show off his undoubted talents. I also think that is he is courting other clubs, maybe his mind is not set on playing well for the U's so therefore Joe did the right thing leaving him out. I just hope the postponement doesn't cost us in terms of position in the league. Whatever, we need to start winning again and quick! I can't see that happening at Crawley, but stranger things have been known.Or is it the club's strategy now to accept relegation in the vain hope we may bounce back next season? I know it is a negative thing to suggest, but I see no inspiration behind the scenes in improving things on the pitch and pretty much get the impression that one hell of a clearout of 'deadwood' is needed in order to move our lacklustre, uninspiring team forward. Up the U's!Ozzie

Ozzie, if there is an acceptance by the club that relegation for one season only is worth contemplating then they need to think again. If, as seems likely, we do get relegated we will be below League 1 for many seasons and indeed may find ourselves dropping out of the Football League altogether. If this current squad was in League 2 this season, I have no doubt, we would be looking at relegation to the Blue Square Bet League as we are that bad.

Wordsworth's one half decent game in every 6 is no good for any team and heaven help any club that takes him on!

Ozzie, if there is an acceptance by the club that relegation for one season only is worth contemplating then they need to think again. If, as seems likely, we do get relegated we will be below League 1 for many seasons and indeed may find ourselves dropping out of the Football League altogether. If this current squad was in League 2 this season, I have no doubt, we would be looking at relegation to the Blue Square Bet League as we are that bad.
Wordsworth's one half decent game in every 6 is no good for any team and heaven help any club that takes him on!BlueandWhiteBaz

There is no point in making him play at the risk of getting hurt. No club is going to buy an injured player.
it is a real shame when you think back to how good he looked when he started with us, at Layer Road against Championship teams. But since he clearly doesn't want to go flat out for us, let him go now, and take whatever some other club will pay is for him.

There is no point in making him play at the risk of getting hurt. No club is going to buy an injured player.
it is a real shame when you think back to how good he looked when he started with us, at Layer Road against Championship teams. But since he clearly doesn't want to go flat out for us, let him go now, and take whatever some other club will pay is for him.Boris

No, I did not intend this comment to come across as their long-term strategic plan, but I readily agree with you Baz, that the U's are the worst I have seen in many seasons. I hate to say it but at the moment, we will only get what we deserve - relegation-we are that poor! God knows what would happen if that trap door opens again if (God forbid) we drop down into the Second Division, I fear many seasons in the doldrums of football obscurity and potential non-league life. Come on management at the club - get the club fired up, players, staff, etc and get some firepower into our performances. We need wins, no need for pretty, 'trying to walk it into the net' football, - just score lots of goals, as many as you can, and don't worry about how many you concede- that was Big Roy's philosophy and it worked! Up the U's!!

No, I did not intend this comment to come across as their long-term strategic plan, but I readily agree with you Baz, that the U's are the worst I have seen in many seasons. I hate to say it but at the moment, we will only get what we deserve - relegation-we are that poor! God knows what would happen if that trap door opens again if (God forbid) we drop down into the Second Division, I fear many seasons in the doldrums of football obscurity and potential non-league life. Come on management at the club - get the club fired up, players, staff, etc and get some firepower into our performances. We need wins, no need for pretty, 'trying to walk it into the net' football, - just score lots of goals, as many as you can, and don't worry about how many you concede- that was Big Roy's philosophy and it worked! Up the U's!!Ozzie

Firepower, yes that's what we need. Even Ibehre appears to be turned off by the poor level of chances we create, otherwise I'm sure he would have stayed around here rather than returning to MK Dons. The fact he has returned probably signals he's not going to join us on a permanent contract, and who could blame him. A creative midfield player in place of Wordsworth that's what we need. Someone capable of pulling the strings and opening up defences. Unless we become far more creative and improve our capability of scoring, goals, relegation will be a certainty!

Firepower, yes that's what we need. Even Ibehre appears to be turned off by the poor level of chances we create, otherwise I'm sure he would have stayed around here rather than returning to MK Dons. The fact he has returned probably signals he's not going to join us on a permanent contract, and who could blame him. A creative midfield player in place of Wordsworth that's what we need. Someone capable of pulling the strings and opening up defences. Unless we become far more creative and improve our capability of scoring, goals, relegation will be a certainty!BlueandWhiteBaz